U.S. patent number 4,346,821 [Application Number 06/008,222] was granted by the patent office on 1982-08-31 for child-resistant closures for container mounted spray dispensers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to AFA Consolidated Corporation. Invention is credited to Fred E. Wallace, Walter H. Wesner.
United States Patent |
4,346,821 |
Wesner , et al. |
August 31, 1982 |
Child-resistant closures for container mounted spray dispensers
Abstract
A child-resistant safety closure is provided for closing the
outlet of a hand-operated fluid product sprayer dispenser used on a
container to prevent leaks from the container during periods of
non-use and to resist accidental use by children or unwary adults.
The closure cannot be moved from an "outlet closed" position to an
"outlet open" position without the performance of at least two
discrete, predetermined definite actions by the user to first
disable a lock and then to linearly or rotatably move the cap into
the "outlet open" position to permit spraying or dispensing. A
closing member is connected to the bottom portion of the sprayer
for removably mounting the sprayer to the container and closing the
same. The member and the sprayer to which it is connected cannot be
removed without the performance of at least two discrete,
predetermined definite actions, which actions are difficult if not
impossible for young children to perform.
Inventors: |
Wesner; Walter H. (Plantation,
FL), Wallace; Fred E. (Boca Raton, FL) |
Assignee: |
AFA Consolidated Corporation
(Hialeah, FL)
|
Family
ID: |
21730433 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/008,222 |
Filed: |
January 31, 1979 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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887144 |
Mar 16, 1978 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/153.02;
215/274; 222/536; 222/153.09; 222/153.14; 222/383.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/40 (20130101); B05B 11/0008 (20130101); B05B
11/3045 (20130101); B05B 11/0032 (20130101); B05B
11/3057 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
11/00 (20060101); B65D 83/14 (20060101); B67D
005/42 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/402.11,525,531,534,536,538,546,556,557,561,153,321,402.13,383,385
;239/288 ;215/201,213,225,216,274 ;251/147 ;137/381 ;220/281 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Goldberg; Howard N.
Assistant Examiner: Silverberg; Fred A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Swanson; Arthur H.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
887,144 filed Mar. 16, 1978 and now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An overcap for selectively closing and opening the outlet
orifice of a liquid dispenser having a nose bushing in which said
orifice is formed, said overcap being coupled to said nose bushing
for sliding movement with respect thereto between a first or
orifice closing position and a second or orifice opening position,
said overcap including a first portion that is deflective with
respect to said nose bushing and having detent means formed
thereon, said detent means cooperating in a locking relationship
with a surface of said nose bushing to hold said overcap against
sliding movement when said overcap is in said first position,
deflection of said portion of said overcap being operative to
release said detent from locking relationship with said nose
bushing whereby said overcap is movable to said second position
from said first position, and wherein said overcap includes a
second deflective portion spaced from said first deflective
portion, said second deflective portion having a ramp surface
provided thereon adjacent said nose bushing, said ramp surface
cooperating with said nose bushing to produce an interference fit
in the engagement of said orifice by said overcap as said overcap
is moved from said second position to said first position.
2. An overcap for selectively closing and opening the outlet
orifice of a liquid dispenser having a nose bushing in which said
orifice is formed, said overcap being coupled to said nose bushing
for sliding movement with respect thereto between a first or
orifice closing position and a second or orifice opening position,
said overcap including a first portion that is deflective with
respect to said nose bushing and having detent means formed
thereon, said detent means cooperating in a locking relationship
with a surface of said nose bushing to hold said overcap against
sliding movement when said overcap is in said first position,
deflection of said portion of said overcap being operative to
release said detent means from locking relationship with said nose
bushing whereby said overcap is movable to said second position
from said first position, and wherein an opening provided in said
overcap is in register with said orifice when said overcap is in
said second position, said overcap includes a second deflective
portion spaced from said first deflective portion, said second
deflective portion having a ramp surface provided thereon adjacent
said nose bushing, said ramp surface cooperating with said nose
bushing to produce an interference fit in the engagement of said
orifice by said overcap as said overcap is moved from said second
position to said first position, said first deflective portion of
said overcap includes pivot means provided at an intermediate
position thereof, and said coupling means includes stop means to
limit the sliding movement of said overcap relatively to said nose
bushing whereby said overcap is non-removable from said nose
bushing.
3. For use with a liquid dispenser having a nose bushing in which
an orifice is provided, an overcap coupled to the nose bushing for
selectively closing and opening said orifice, means coupling said
overcap to the nose bushing for orifice engaging, sliding movement
between a first position in which said overcap engages the orifice
to close the orifice against the flow of liquid therefrom, and a
second position in which no portion of said overcap engages the
orifice, a portion of said overcap depending below said nose
bushing, said depending portion having a first, normally
undeflected position, and a second deflected position, said
depending overcap portion being provided with an interference tab
at one end and an actuating tab at the other end, and locking means
on said nose bushing cooperating with said interference tab to lock
said overcap against sliding movement toward said second position
when said overcap is in said first position and said depending
portion of said overcap is undeflected, movement of said depending
portion to said second, deflected, position by actuation of said
actuating tab operating to release said interference tab from
locking relationship with said locking means whereby said overcap
is movable to said second position by actuation of said actuating
tab.
4. Apparatus as specified in claim 3 wherein the direction of
deflection of said depending portion of said overcap required to
release said interference tab is transverse with respect to the
direction of the sliding movement of said overcap relatively to
said nose bushing.
5. Apparatus as specified in claim 4 wherein the direction of
deflection of said depending portion of said overcap to release
said interference tab is toward said nose bushing.
6. Apparatus as specified in claim 3 including ramp means provided
on said overcap, said ramp means cooperating with said nose bushing
upon movement of said overcap from said second position to said
first position thereof to develop and hold by dimensional
interference a closing pressure upon said orifice.
7. Apparatus as specified in claim 3 wherein said coupling means
comprises tab means on the nose bushing, said tab means retaining
said overcap on said nose bushing but allowing sliding movement of
said overcap relatively to said nose bushing.
8. Apparatus as specified in claim 3 wherein an opening provided in
said overcap is in register with the outlet orifice in said nose
bushing when said overcap is in said second position thereof.
9. Apparatus as specified in claim 3 including a recess on said
nose bushing, and detent means on said overcap cooperating with
said recess to provide a stop upon movement of said overcap to said
second position and serving to hold said overcap in said second
position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is concerned with fluid product dispensers packaged
with fluid containers and, in particular, with closures or overcaps
for the dispenser fluid product outlet and closing connectors for
removably mounting them on the containers which, for safety
reasons, can be operated only in such a manner as to make their
operation and removal difficult by children or unwary adults. Spray
dispensers are frequently used with containers for dispensing
various household cleaning products which may contain lye, ammonia
or some other injurious agent which could be harmful to children if
operated or removed inadvertently by them.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fluid product dispensers for use with containers when mounted
thereon, particularly of the type which produce a spray are
generally known in the art, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,061,202, but all have the common problem of preventing
leakage when packaged with by mounting them on containers of fluid
during shipment and preventing inadvertent operation or removal of
the spray mechanism. One attempt at solving this problem is
disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,473 to Carl E. Malone wherein
a cap is provided for the spray outlet in two versions, the first
of which includes a domed cover closing the spray outlet and held
in place by a screw cap. A seal is effected around the outlet by
the action of the screw cap on an annular flange on the cover
clamping it between the cap and the nose of the sprayer. The
sprayer is made operative by cutting off the dome of the cover with
a knife. In the other version shown in the Malone patent, a
permanent cap is provided about the nose portion of the sprayer and
a removable cover cap or closure is provided to be pushed on with a
tight fit over the permanent cap and has a sealing nub which blocks
the spray outlet hole. This cover cap is attached to the permanent
cap by an integrally molded hinge so that the cap is always
available. The sprayer however, can be removed with relative ease
from the container by the simple act of unscrewing its bottom
connected bottle cap 16.
In another U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,700 to Edward C. Schmidt et al, a
sprayer is shown having a combined spray outlet cover and operating
trigger. The cover-trigger is pivoted so that it can be swung from
an outlet covered or cap position to a trigger operating position
and is intended to be in the outlet covered position when the
sprayer is not in use. A projection on the outer end of the trigger
covers the spray outlet when the trigger is in the up position. A
break-off disc is provided to make it impossible to move a tab to
adjust the nozzle but the trigger can still be rotated downwardly
enough to uncover the spray outlet without breaking off the disc.
Spraying can then be accomplished by squeezing a pumping bellows by
operation of the trigger with the fingers which would seem to be a
likely action for both children and adults. In addition, the
sprayer can be removed from the container on which it is used
rather easily by unscrewing its cap 14.
In another U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,181 to Robert E. Hazard a closure
for a non spray dispenser outlet is provided wherein a spout having
a through passage is mounted atop the dispenser in such a way that
it can rotate through a 90 degree arc from a transverse position
relative to the outlet with its through passage also transverse and
therefore not in alignment with the outlet, to a vertical position
with the through passage aligned with and open to the outlet. The
spout is adapted to rotate to these positions with a cylindrical
surface sliding on the face of the outlet. A locking tab is
provided at the outer end of the spout which must be deflected with
a finger before the spout can be lifted and rotated to the open,
vertical position. The dispenser is intended for permanent
attachment to a container and cannot be removed without damage for
refilling.
Another non-spray dispenser closure cap is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,022,352 wherein an integrally-hinged cap is adapted to fold over
and close an outlet in the top of the dispenser by plugging the
outlet. A latch is provided on the opposite side of the cap from
the hinge which can be pried outwardly with the fingers to release
it so that the cap can be lifted and the outlet opened again. The
device can be removed from the container on which it is mounted
only with difficulty and will probably be damaged irreparably in
the process.
Yet another non-spray dispenser closure cap is shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,020,981 wherein an operable screw cap is applied to the top
of a simple dispenser for flowable materials and the cap is made
difficult to open unless it is rotated a quarter turn and then
lifted, or, in another embodiment, rotated another quarter turn
back in the opposite direction to open a path to the flowable
material. The entire assembly, however, is relatively easily
removed from the container by unscrewing.
Various other U.S. Patents have issued which disclose trigger
sprayers with bottom connected caps including screw on and pressed
on types for attachment to the necks of containers. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,834 discloses a locking member for locking an
actuator or trigger in a non-operating position when the sprayer is
out of use, in which position a valve is closed by a piston
connected to the trigger to prevent leakage through the sprayer
outlet from a container on which the device is used, at the same
time a vent hole is covered preventing leakage from that source.
However, this device, as with previously mentioned devices, has the
disadvantage of being relatively easily operated since mere
depression of the trigger unlocks the device and uncovers the vent
hole. In addition, the sprayer is relatively easily removed even by
a child by the simple act of unscrewing the cap connecting it to
the container, hence no provision is made to prevent the child from
gaining direct access to its contents.
In addition to the foregoing showings, it is known in the art to
use a simple push-on annular cap or cover over the sprayer outlet
nose piece of a spray dispenser to close it and which is removed
simply by prying it off. Typical of such a cap is shown as prior
art in FIG. 9 of the drawings herein. It should be noted that this
type of cap serves only to close the outlet of the spray dispenser
and must be removed entirely from the nose piece before spraying
can be accomplished. Rotation of the cap on the nose piece has no
effect on its outlet closure aspects since the outlet remains
blocked regardless of this type of movement.
As will become more clearly apparent from what follows the present
invention resolves the aforementioned problems and overcomes the
disadvantages arising therefrom by the provision of a
child-resistant closure for the outlet of a sprayer-pump used on a
container including a child-resistant container closing and
mounting device which forms a safe, child-resistant, but refillable
package of material.
Certain terms well known to the art of the present invention will
be used herein and will, it is to be hoped, provide an aid in
gaining a better understanding and appreciation of the invention.
One of these, "dispensing closure" is applied to a relatively well
known type of device which is fitted to a container to provide a
closure or cover therefor to seal the contents of the container, or
to contain them without leakage in normal usage, combined with
other devices by which the contents of the container may be
emptied. Under this designation, a two-part device employing a cap
and one or more spouts or pouring fitments combined therewith will
be found and described, as in previously mentioned U.S. Pat. No.
3,957,181. Not really included within the above definition,
although related thereto, are the so-called, two-part devices
exemplified in previously mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,202. These
devices are usually characterized by having sprayers with
connecting screw-on closure caps and the like attached for
installing or mounting the sprayer onto the mouth or neck of a
container. These devices, more commonly better known as "trigger
sprayers" which designation will be adopted herein, also commonly
employ a dip tube, or other inlet conduit means to conduct the
material contents from the container to the pump in the sprayer for
spraying by ejecting the same through the outlet or exit nozzle of
the sprayer. In addition, these devices incorporate associated
inlet and outlet check valves contained in the housing of the
sprayer to control the flow of the material contents pumped from
the container.
The terms "child-resistant" and "child-resistant effectiveness"
have recently become known and are used both in the field of the
present invention and in the more general area of closures and
dispensers to designate devices and packages so constructed that
they are significantly difficult or young children, particularly
pre-school children under 5 years of age, to open within a
reasonable time while, at the same time, are not difficult for
average, normal adults to open. Such devices when used on
containers of toxic, harmful and other hazardous or injurious
materials also constitute "Special Packaging" as defined in Part
1700.1 (4) of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16 under the
pertinent statute. Title 15 United States Code, Section 1471-1475
thereof, entitled "Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970", to
which reference may be had for further information, said
regulations, by reference, being incorporated herein.
Other terms, unless otherwise stated, will take their meaning from
the appertaining, incorporated by reference, regulations referred
to including any and all standards established for protecting
children from serious illness or personal injury from handling,
ingesting or using substances contained in these packages and found
in the average home or household. All testing procedures to which
constructions according to the present invention are described as
being subjected will refer to the protocol for testing "Special
Packaging" in the Regulations, specifically under Section 1700.20
of Title 16 C.F.R., paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) thereof, also, by
reference, incorporated herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a safety
closure for a dispenser used on a container, the material contents
of which is to be expelled by the dispenser.
Another object is to provide a safety closure for a sprayer outlet
of the character referred to which is movable over the outlet
between a position in which the outlet is open and a position in
which the outlet is closed and locked in child-resistant
relation.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a safety
closure for a sprayer outlet of the character referred to in which
the dispenser includes a safety closing device for connecting the
dispenser to a container.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the
character described which forms a safety package of a manually
operated sprayer pump and a container of fluid to be expelled, the
pump having an outlet through which the container's contents are
expelled provided with a child-resistant cover or overcap and a
child-resistant closing member connected to the sprayer for
removably attaching the sprayer to the container.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
sprayer device of the type referred to wherein the parts and
components are all, or nearly all comprised of low cost, readily
available synthetic and/or natural thermoplastic materials.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a
closure device of the preceding type for a sprayer with closing and
mounting members in which the sprayer is trigger operated, the
closure is a child-resistant overcap slidably engaged over the
outlet of the sprayer and the closing member comprises wedge-like
rib elements which are adapted to interengage with similar elements
on the container when the sprayer is mounted on the neck or mouth
thereof.
A still additional object is to provide a closure and a closing
member for a sprayer of the preceding type which may be molded of
the thermoplastic materials referred to in the economical way and
in which the interengaging elements of the closing member and the
container are molded as integral parts thereof.
In accomplishing these and other objects there is provided
according to the present invention, an improvement in closures for
sprayers and like dispensers which are child-resistant, and which
can be shipped while the sprayer is mounted on filled containers
thereby forming a safe, non-spillable, non-leaking package.
Moreover the invention, in addition to affording protection against
unwanted, inadvertent or accidental spraying of material from the
container, also prevents accidental or inadvertent removal of the
sprayer thereby protecting young children by preventing them from
gaining direct access to the container contents. The improvements
involve special packaging and the use and addition of
child-resistant elements to the closures and closing members of a
sprayer which when mounted on a container results in a safe,
shippable package of hazardous materials of at least 85%
child-resistant effectiveness. By child-resistant effectiveness is
meant that certain prerequisite procedures must be followed to
spray material through the sprayer outlet or to remove or unpackage
the sprayer and open the container, which procedures, as will be
seen, are effective to prevent at least 85% of normal children
under 5 years of age from gaining indirect access to the contents
of the container by operating the sprayer, or direct access by
removing the sprayer from the container. At the same time the
procedures are also effective to permit at least 90% of normal
adults between the ages of 18 to 45 to open the packages for either
spraying or for refilling by removing the sprayer.
In a preferred improvement, at least a child-resistant cover or
overcap is provided for the outlet of the sprayer through which
material from the container may be ejected in normal use which is
fitted over the outlet in such a manner that it cannot be moved, or
have its position altered unless certain prerequisite procedures
are strictly followed to uncover the outlet and permit passage of
the material contents of the container through the outlet.
As will be seen from the description and drawings which follow, the
present invention differs significantly from the previously
described devices in a number of aspects including the previously
referred to prerequisite procedures and the fact that two distinct
and discrete motions, not likely to be used by young children or
unwary adults, are necessary to be performed before the sprayer can
be either operated for spraying or removed from the container for
refilling.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevation of a spray dispenser with the safety closure
of a preferred embodiment of the invention in place over the outlet
of the dispenser and in its outlet closed position;
FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation showing the nose portion of the
spray dispenser with the safety closure shown in the outlet closed
position as in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation corresponding to FIG. 2 with the
safety closure shown in the outlet open position;
FIG. 4 is a top or plan section along line 4--4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged front end elevation of the outside of the
safety closure as viewed from the left in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear elevation of the inside of the safety
closure as viewed from the outlet in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevation of a nose piece or nose
bushing used with the safety closure of FIGS. 1 through 6;
FIG. 8 is a vertical elevation, partially sectioned, of a dispenser
nose portion and safety closure of another embodiment of the
invention, the closure shown in place over the dispenser outlet in
the outlet closed position;
FIG. 9 is a front end elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8, the
safety closure in the outlet closed position;
FIG. 10 is a vertical elevation, partially sectioned, of the
invention corresponding to FIG. 8, the safety closure shown in the
outlet open position;
FIG. 11 is a front end elevation of the invention corresponding to
FIG. 9, the safety closure shown in the outlet open position;
FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of the inside of the safety closure of
the embodiment FIGS. 8 through 11 as viewed from the outlet;
FIG. 13 is a front elevation of a nose piece or nose bushing used
with the safety closure of FIGS. 8 through 12;
FIG. 14 is a vertical elevation, partially sectioned, of the nose
portion of a typical spray dispenser with a prior art snap-on
closure or overcap for the dispenser outlet;
FIG. 15 is a vertical elevation, partially sectioned, of a further
embodiment, of the invention, generally corresponding to the
embodiment of FIG. 1, of a spray dispenser joined to a fluid
container illustrating the interior and the interior working parts
of a safety closing and connecting member for the dispenser;
FIG. 16 is a transverse section taken along lines 16--16 of FIG.
15, and,
FIG. 17 is a vertical elevation, partially sectioned, of still
another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a trigger
sprayer or dispenser 10 as seen in FIG. 1, has an end portion in
which an outlet 11 contained in a nose piece or nose bushing 12 is
inserted, as seen in FIGS. 2-4 and 7. Nose piece 12 comprises,
substantially a hollow cylinder press fitted in a bore 10a in the
end portion of dispenser or sprayer 10 in fluid product sealing
relationship to bore 10a with said outlet 11 toward the left or
facing outwardly. Spray or dispensing outlet or orifice 11
establishes fluid communication between the interior of sprayer 10
via nose piece 12 to the atmosphere, as will be seen. Sprayer 10 is
adapted to expel and emit a fluid product, usually a liquid, from
the reservoir, container or bottle 10b on which it is mounted on
the neck 10c thereof, by means of a pump operated by the action of
a trigger 13 which is biased by a spring to return to its initial,
or at rest position shown in FIG. 1. As mentioned previously, in
these devices it is generally always desirable to provide some
means such as a cover or an overcap over the sprayer outlets to
keep the fluid product from leaking through the uncovered outlet
during periods of non-use or when the sprayer is operated as by a
child or unwary adult.
It is also desirable for the structure of the various parts
involved in the present invention to be made of molded plastic
having some resiliency and good dimensional stability such as
polyethylene, polypropylene, an acetal copolymer or another plastic
having at least these qualities in addition to other qualities that
are needed such as sufficient strength, impact resistance and
compatibility with the particular fluid product to be sprayed.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, particular
reference being had to FIGS. 1 through 7, sprayer 10 is equipped
with a planar safety closure in the form of a movable cover or
overcap 14 slidably attached or coupled to nose piece or bushing 12
by a pair of spaced apart guide rails 15, 15' on nose piece 12 and
cooperating overlapping, elongated lugs or rails 16, 16' on overcap
14, as best seen in FIG. 4, thereby providing retaining means for
holding closure 14 on the end of sprayer 10 while simultaneously
permitting it to be moved or displaced thereon. Guides 15, 15' are
arranged in vertical parallel relation to lugs 16, 16' and to
sprayer 10 when the latter is in the normal, upright position shown
in FIG. 1. Thus installed overcaps 14 can slide up and down on
these parts within certain limits, as will be explained. An opening
or port 17 larger than outlet 11 of sprayer 10, is provided in
overcap 14 and located therein so that when overcap 14 is moved to
a position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, port 17 will come into
register with and completely uncover outlet 11. A downward movement
limiting flange or limit stop 18 is provided on the upper end
portion of overcap 14 which extends sufficiently rightwardly toward
sprayer 10 to interfere, by engagement, with the upper side of nose
piece 12 thereby preventing further downward motion of overcap 14
beyond the distance needed to completely cover outlet 11, as shown
in FIG. 2.
Closure cover or overcap 14 includes a first deflective locking and
unlocking portion or member 19 which is formed integrally with
overcap 14 and extends upwardly thereon from a lower portion
thereof, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. A pair of vertical through
slots 20, 21 are located in overcap 14 which extend therein from a
point beyond the upper end of lock 19 downwardly to bottom of lock
19, leaving the narrow hinges, bands or pivots 22, 22' of material
molded between the outer and center portions of the overcap 14.
Hinges or bands 22, 22' are resilient since overcap 14 to which
they are integrally connected is resilient and owing to the
relatively narrow width of cross section at those points flex
easily in torsion thereby acting as torsion springs to return lock
19 to its original relaxed, or unflexed position, as seen in FIG.
2. Also in FIG. 2, the upper end of lock 19 has a detent lip 23
which is in a position where it can intefere or engage with a
shoulder or lip 24 formed in nose piece 12, thereby preventing
further upward movement of overcap 14 when the latter is moved to
the position shown in FIG. 3. Detent lip 23 also provides a lock
when engaged on shoulder 24 for overcap 14 when the latter is in
the first position shown in FIG. 2.
At the lower end of lock 19, best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, an
actuatable depressor or actuating tab 25 laterally extends and
overlaps the outer, opposite sides or edges of slots 20, 21 and
vertically extends below hinges 22, 22' where a pushing surface for
the thumb of an operator is provided, for a purpose to be later
explained. From the preceding, it will be obvious that lock 19 can
be rotated counterclockwise or leftwardly about hinges 22, 22' in
FIG. 2, at least to a small degree, when tab 25 is depressed to the
right sufficiently for detent lip or interference tab 23 to clear
shoulder 24 of nose piece 12, thereby freeing overcap 14 and
permitting the latter to be pushed upwardly in a linear motion
until lip 23 engages shoulder 26 of nose piece 12 and is seated in
a recess 27 provided therein when finger pressure on tab 25 is
released. When this action is completed overcap 14 is then retained
in place in its "outlet open" or second position and operation of
dispenser 10 to spray fluid can be commensed. The lower edge of the
nose piece 12, where it is exposed to recess 27, is chamfered or
formed with a ramp or ramped surface 28, best seen in FIG. 3. Lip
23 has a rounded lower edge or corner (see FIG. 2) which cooperates
with the surface of ramp 28 and facilitates disengagement of lip 23
from recess 27 when a gentle, but firm downward pushing force is
intentionally applied to the top of overcap 14.
An important additional and advantageous feature of the present
invention will now be described which is the provision of a
forcible seal which is intentionally provided between the interior
of overcap 14 and the raised surface or boss 29 formed on nose
piece 12 which surrounds and contains outlet 11, best seen in FIGS.
2 and 3. Boss 29 projects outwardly to the left in FIG. 2 toward
overcap 14, has a top surface which is flat and in which outlet 11
terminates and a chamfered, or ramped upper side 29a. The inside,
upper surface 14a, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, of overcap 14 rests
against and abuts that portion of nose piece 12 below or to the
right of boss 29 when overcap 14 is in its "outlet open" or second
position. Two substantially parallel through slots 30, 30' are
provided in the face of overcap 14 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Slots
30, 30' extend downwardly from near the top of overcap 14 to a
point immediately below port 17, and, as will be shown, provide an
area therebetween which is flexible and which can be considered to
be a second deflective portion of overcap 14. The lower edge of the
upper inside surface of overcap 14 is also chamfered and formed
into a ramp 14b and when it comes into contact with the also
chamfered, ramp-like upper surface 29a of boss 29 facilitates
downward movement of overcap 14 on surface 14b and provides a
biasing effect forcing surface 14a against the top surface of boss
29 when overcap 14 is moved to the outlet closed or first position.
When overcap 14 is returned again to its "outlet open" position
surface portion 14a again assumes its substantially flat
unstressed, original condition owing to the resiliency of the
material of which it is made.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-13, an additional embodiment of the
present invention is disclosed wherein a modified planar safety
closure, cover or overcap 31 is mounted on an also modified nose
piece or nose bushing 32 in the end portion of sprayer 10 and is
held tightly in place thereon by the annular lips 33 when cover or
overcap 31 is installed thereon by snapping the same in place until
lips 33 pass over the annular ridge 34 on nose piece 32, as best
seen in FIG. 12. Overcap 31 is thus retained in place more or less
permanently while still within certain limits being free to rotate
thereon, as will later be described. On the other hand, overcap 31
cannot easily be removed as by use of the fingers, a tool or
implement being required, without damage once in place because of
its tight fit but, as will be seen, can be turned in a rotary,
sliding motion with relative ease once it is, as will also be
described hereinafter, "unlocked" by operation of its unlocking
means. Nose piece 32 includes an outlet or orifice 35 which is
eccentrically located with respect to the center of a circle
defined by annular ridge 34, as best seen in FIG. 13, and has an
exit plane terminating in the top surface (left in FIG. 10) of a
raised boss or outlet projection 36 which surrounds outlet 35, as
best seen in FIGS. 8 and 10. The top surface of boss 36 is
substantially flat and mates with and abuts a similar flat surface
on the inner boss or projection 37 on the interior surface of
overcap 31, as shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and 12, when outlet 35 is
closed to prevent spraying and to seal it from leakage during
storage or shipping. Just below boss 37 on cap 31 (see FIGS. 8 and
12) a registerable outwardly chamfered opening or port 38 is formed
through overcap 31, as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 10, which is made
larger than outlet 35 and is chamfered outwardly of overcap 31 to
facilitate passage of the fluid product sprayed from outlet 35 when
port 28 is moved into alignment, i.e. registers with outlet 35, as
will be hereinafter explained.
Referring now to FIG. 12 a ramp 43 is provided on the inside
surface of overcap 31 which extends from the entrance to port 38 in
an arcuate path terminating in the top surface of boss 37. Ramp 43
provides a wedging action as overcap 31 is rotated and ramp 43
moves over outlet boss 36 and outlet 35 is covered by the flat top
surface of boss 37 (see FIG. 8). Both ramp 43 and boss 37 are so
dimensioned with respect to outlet projection 36 that when boss 37
is in place covering outlet 35, sufficient force is generated
thereby to provide a forcible seal for outlet 35 on the surface of
projection 36. An enforced fluid tight product seal is thereby
insured to enhance protection against leakage even in the event of
unfortuitous operation of trigger 13a.
A radial projection 44 is formed on the inner surface of overcap
31, as shown in FIG. 12, which engages in abutting relation a
similar projection or limit stop 45 on nose piece 32 (see FIG. 13)
when overcap 31 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 10. An
additional projection or limit stop 46 diametrically opposite
radial projection 44 on bushing 32 is also provided which engages
stop 44 in abutting relation when overcap 31 is in the position
shown in FIG. 8, thereby limiting rotation of overcap 31 in both
clockwise and counterclockwise directions and insuring that the
various parts and outlets are properly aligned or nonaligned as
desired.
Extending below overcap 31, but integrally connected thereto is an
actuating tab 39. Tab 39 is a generally flat piece having a pair of
stiffening buttresses 40 molded between its outer surface and the
rim-like lower portion of overcap 31. At, or approximately at, its
mid-point tab 39 bends inwardly toward trigger 13a a slight amount.
The lower end of tab 39 contains a tooth-like detent member 41
which extends rearwardly toward trigger 13a and engages the latter
in a slot 42 therein, as shown in FIG. 8. The slight mid-point bend
of tab 39 assures that member 41 is positively engaged in slot 42
and rotation of overcap 31 is prevented, conditions which will be
maintained until a specific action or procedure is performed by the
operator to change these conditions. Slot 42 is fabricated slightly
longer in width and height than detent 41 so that the latter will
be received therein easily; however, the depth of detent 41 is
sufficient so that rotation of overcap 31 is substantially
prevented. On the other hand, the depth of detent 41 is not so long
that trigger 13a must be unduly depressed before detent 41 becomes
disengaged from slot 42.
A basic, generalized form of an additional preferred embodiment of
the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 15
wherein a child-resistant dispenser or sprayer 47 is disclosed
having connected thereto on the bottom portion 48 thereof, a safety
closing means in the form of a closing member 49. Sprayer 47 is
identical in most respects to previously described sprayer 10
including trigger 13 and 13a and has a pumping mechanism 50 in the
form of a reciprocating piston 52, associated inlet check valve 54
and an outlet valve (not shown in FIG. 15) which, however, may
advantageously take the form of the check valve 51 in FIGS. 2, 3,
4, 8, 10 and 14. In addition, sprayer 47, like sprayer 10, can be
and preferably is a molded article made entirely, or very nearly
entirely, of plastic materials so as to be low cost and economical
to manufacture. Particularly good examples of such materials, in
addition to those mentioned previously, are any of the synthetic
plastics and thermoplastics such as polyolefins, among which a
particularly preferred one is polypropylene, although others of
this class or group including polyethylene and polyisobutylene can
also be used. Other synthetic and natural materials are also
usable, for example, moldable thermoplastic polyester,
polyurethane, nylon, polyvinylchloride, polyacetate, polystyrene,
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and synthetic and natural
rubber and mixtures of these materials. These materials possess
elasticity, have the necessary resiliency and in addition, are
economical, in relatively available and plentiful supply, are
readily and easily formed by any of the well-known and widely used
molding and casting manufacturing processes, and are inert to
almost all of the commonly used materials and fluids which are
packaged in containers with these devices.
As mentioned previously, sprayer 47 forms a package of material
when attached and installed on a bottle or container 53 utilizing
closing device or closing member 49 for the purpose. Member 49 is
coupled to bottom or lower portion 48 by an intermediate insert,
intake stem or coupling collar 56 and comprises an inner,
cylindrical cap 58 having an internal threaded surface, an integral
resilient outer skirt or cylinder 60 concentrically spaced from cap
58, and an integral top wall 62 from which these last named parts
depend. Top wall 62 has a central perforation 64 through which the
upper, cylindrical end 66 of intake stem or insert 56 easily passes
with slight clearance to extend into the lower end of the bottom
portion 48 of sprayer 47, being pressed fitted into an outer
annular recess or cavity 68 contained therein. Cylindrical end 66
projects upwardly from the top surface of a laterally extending,
disc-like support collar or base 70, the latter being a radial
extension of a central conduit 74, which it supports. Collar or
base 70 is larger in diameter than perforation 64 and supportably
engages cap or skirt 60 on the underside or surface of top wall 62
of member 49. The upper end of conduit 72 terminates in a conical
valve seat opening into a central cavity 73 in lower portion 48 of
sprayer 47 and defines therewith a valve chamber in which intake or
inlet check valve 54 is housed. Conduit 72 is press fitted into
cavity 73 being engaged therein in fluid tight relation on its
peripheral outer surface.
A fluid supply conduit or dip tube 74 which depends from the lower
end of conduit 72, passes centrally through the threaded filler
neck 76 of container or bottle 53 and terminates below the surface
of the material contents (not shown) therein.
Sprayer 47 is packaged together with container 53 by engagement of
internal threaded cap 58 on filler neck 76 when closing member 49
is screwed down thereon. When threaded cap 58 and filler neck 76
are fully engaged member 49 is in a closed position on container 53
in which base or support collar 70 is clamped tightly between the
upper, annular surface 78 of container 53 and the under, annular
surface 80 of top wall 62, the respective clamping surfaces 78 and
80 normally being smooth enough to provide an effective seal for
container 53. In some instances a gasket or other seal enhancing
device (not shown) may be advantageously used.
A pair of wedge-shaped locking lugs 82 radially outwardly project
from the lower peripheral surface, as best seen in FIG. 16, of
filler neck 76 on opposite sides thereof and engage in locking,
child-resistant relation, the cooperating vertically extending
members or ribs 84 which radially inwardly project from the inside
surface of outer closure skirt or cylinder 60. It will be
appreciated, particularly in the light of the hereinafter following
description of the operation of the invention, that the act of
closing container 53 by screwing cap 58 of closing member 49 down
on neck 76 will result in coaction between lugs 82 and ribs 84
which imparts child-resistant capability to these parts forming a
special package significantly difficult for children under 5 years
of age to open within a reasonable time.
Turning again to FIG. 15, dispenser-sprayer 47 comprises a spring
loaded piston 52 mounted for reciprocation within sprayer 47 by
actuator trigger 13. Trigger 13 is pivotably mounted on sprayer 47
on its outer portion and extends below its forward or outlet end.
Also housed within the body of sprayer 47 is an entrance or intake
passage in an internal wall or partition leading into a pump
chamber from the intake valve chamber therebelow. An exit conduit
or discharge passage is also provided which connects the chamber
with the outside through outlet or discharge check valve 51 via
nose bushing or nose piece 12, previously described.
Outlet or discharge check valve 51 is slidably positioned in an
internal cavity in nose bushing 12 to control the flow of the
material, usually fluid contents of container 53 pumped thereto for
ejection through the ejection orifice or outlet 11 when overcap 14
is in its open position.
To insure container 53 is properly vented and the pressure therein
equalized during pumping of the material contents therefrom
suitable vent passages are provided, one, a through passage 85 in
base or support collar 70 of coupling stem member 56 and an
additional passage 85a in an internal wall or partition of the
piston bore, the latter being molded at a point immediately under
piston 52. In FIG. 15, piston 52 is shown in its normal,
non-pumping, or at rest position, and vent passage 85a is closed
and sealed against ambient air by the spaced seal rings 86 on
piston 52 arranged on either side of the passage. During a pumping
stroke of piston 52, however, vent passage 85a is uncovered and
ambient air enters container 53 via the open passage and a similar
passage in base 70.
Turning now to FIG. 17, an additional embodiment of the invention
is illustrated wherein a sprayer 88, similar in operation and in
all other important aspects to the previously described
embodiments, includes a modified container closing device or member
90. For illustrative purposes only, since overcap 14 and bushing 12
could just as easily be used, sprayer 88 is equipped with rotating
child-resistant overcap 31 and trigger 13a of FIGS. 8 through 13.
Closing member 90 is connected to the bottom or lower portion 92 of
sprayer 88 by known means, as for example, spin welding, adhesive
bonding or the like after preassembly. In FIG. 17 member 90
includes an integrally molded part in the form of an intake stem 94
having an upper molded cylindrical end 96 for connecting by press
fit, member 90 to lower or bottom end 92 of sprayer 88. It will be
appreciated that the use, as in FIG. 17, of integrally molded stem
92 will permit some cost savings in manufacture owing to the
elimination of at least one discrete manufactured part, namely
intermediate intake stem 56. Integrally molded in stem 94 is a
central inlet conduit 98 which is supported directly on the top
integral wall 100 of member 90. Intake or insert stem 94 extends
upwardly from top wall 100 into the outer, annular cavity 102 in
lower portion 92 and the upper end of conduit 98 extends into an
inner central cavity 104 being press fitted the rein as in the FIG.
15 embodiment. Closing member 90 is otherwise structurally
identical to closing cap member 49 including an inner cap or
cylinder 106 with an internal threaded surface (corresponding to
cap 58) and a resilient outer skirt 108 (corresponding to skirt
60), both of which depend in integral, concentrically spaced apart
relation, from integral top wall 100. In addition, the inner
surface of outer resilient skirt 108 carries a pair of identically
formed, vertically extending, radially projecting ribs 110 which
coact with and engage cooperating lock members or lugs 82 on filler
neck 76 of container 53 when the latter is closed by screwing cap
106 of closing member 90 down thereon, thereby forming a
child-resistant package, as in the previously described FIG. 15
embodiment.
In the course of installing sprayer 88 on container 53 to close the
same, it should be noted that, owing to the unitary integral
structure of closing member 90 and its press fitted and/or welded
connection to sprayer 88, the entire assembly will turn as a unit
when cap member 90 is screwed down onto filler neck 46. In
contrast, the embodiment of FIG. 15 is a swivelled connection and
when member 49 is mounted on dispenser 47, cap 58 is screwed down
on filler neck 76 by turning closing member 49 independently of
insert stem 56 to close container 53.
OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
With respect to the operation of the present invention, references
will be had to the terms "Packaging" and/or "Special Packaging"
which terms will have the same meaning given and defined in Title
16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1700.1 through 1700.20,
Sub-chapter E-Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970-Regulations
aforementioned.
With sprayer 10 mounted and container 10b shown in FIG. 1 filled
with fluid product to be dispensed, the operator normally will pick
up the assembled device by its neck and with his fingers squeeze
the trigger to initiate spraying action. In FIG. 1, however, no
spray will emerge from outlet 11 since it is blocked by overcap 14,
which is in its outlet closed position. It therefore becomes
necessary to move overcap 14 to its outlet open position to remove
the blockage from outlet 11 so that spraying may be effected. In
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, an operator's natural
inclination, especially a young child's, will be to try to remove
overcap 14 by prying it off, most likely by pulling tab 25 away
from dispenser 10, which action is prevented owing to engagement of
guides 15, 15' on rails 16, 16'. Instead, tab 25 must be pushed in
an opposite direction or inwardly, and unnaturally, toward the
right as a first motion or step, which causes slight
counterclockwise rotation of lock 19 about hinge points or flexible
bands 22, 22', and causes lip 23 to move or be displaced leftwardly
in FIG. 2 until it clears shoulder 24. With this motion or step
concluded, upward motion of overcap 14 is permissible, which, when
accomplished, as a second motion or step, causes lip 23 to enter
recess 27 under the urging of biasing torsion forces induced in
bands 22, 22'. Overcap 14 will then slide upwardly to its "outlet
open" position in which outlet 11 becomes unblocked as port 17 is
brought into register therewith. In this "outlet open" or second
position, spraying can be effected in the usual manner. When
spraying ceases, overcap 14 is urged downwardly with a gentle but
firm push of the finger until further movement in that direction is
halted as lip 23 bears against and abuts the upper edge of nose
piece 12. Outlet 11 is once again blocked and, as previously
described, port 17 moves out of register therewith, lip 23 rides up
and out of recess 27 and springs back under urging of springs 22,
22' to its initial position under shoulder 24 and overcap 14
resumes its "outlet closed" position.
With reference to the second safety outlet cover or overcap
embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 8 through 13, overcap
31 is assumed to be in its FIG. 8 or "outlet closed" position. In
this position tab 39 is extended downwardly and detent or tooth 41
is engaged in slot 42 of trigger 13a. Tab 39 thus locked, cannot be
moved, i.e., rotated without performing a specific set of
procedural steps. For example, to open outlet 11 of dispenser 12,
it is, as a first step, necessary for the operator to depress
trigger 13a slightly by a squeezing action of the fingers until
slot 42 is withdrawn from detent 41. At this point a second motion
or step must be performed wherein the operator rotationally moves
or slides tab 39 and overcap 31 upwardly or counterclockwise as
viewed in FIG. 11 or until tab 39 has reached the position of FIG.
11 in which it extends straight up. At this position further
rotation is estopped by limit stop 44 as it contacts and abuts stop
45. Put another way, overcap 31 must be rotated through an arc of
approximately 180 degrees which causes overcap 31 to slide in
rotation over the end of nose piece 32 and eccentrically located
boss 37 retreats from its position covering outlet 35. Overcap 31
thus reaches its "outlet open" position and, simultaneously, port
38 in cap 31 is brought into register with outlet 35. Fluid product
can now pass through outlet 35 and be ejected from port 38.
As an added safety feature, overcap 31 and associated tab 39 are by
placement of respective limit stops 45 and 46 on nose piece 34
permitted rotation in only one direction (counterclockwise) for the
reason that most young children are likely to abandon further
attempts to open overcap 31 if they find, on first attempt, they
are unable to "work it", thus further reducing the likelihood of
accidental or inadvertent operation and spraying.
When spraying operations are concluded tab 39 and associated
overcap 31 are rotated and swung through a clockwise arc of
approximately 180 degrees until limit stop 44 on overcap 31
contacts and abuts stop 46 on nose piece 32. In this condition
overcap 31 is once again in the "outlet closed" position, tab 39
extends downwardly and detent 41 is once again engaged by trigger
13a in slot 42. To insure engagement of detent 41 in slot 42,
trigger 13a is depressed, i.e. pulled back slightly or sufficiently
to allow detent 41 to clear the front edge of trigger 13a,
following which trigger 13a is released as detent 41 penetrates
slot 42 and overcap 31 is locked in its "outlet closed" position.
During rotation of overcap 31 to this position, ramp 43 provides an
arcuate, inclined path over which outlet projection 36 moves in a
camming action against the top surface of boss 37 to provide a
forcible seal against leakage through outlet 35.
As indicated previously, the basic preferred invention is depicted
in FIGS. 1 through 13. In FIGS. 15 through 17 additional
embodiments are illustrated the operation of which will now be
described to provide a clearer understanding of certain
advantageous aspects of the invention. Particular reference should
be had also to FIG. 16, since the principles there illustrated are
applicable in common to the embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 17, and a
fully child-resistant sprayer-container or package is
presented.
Container 53 is closed when sprayer 47 (or sprayer 88) is mounted
thereon by screwing down onto filler neck 56 cap 58 (or 106), which
action causes ribs 84 (or 110) on skirt 60 (or 108) to engage
locking lugs 82 on filler neck 76 of container 53. When fully
engaged, as indicated in FIG. 16, sprayer 47 (or 88) is locked
securely on container 53 and a child-resistant "Special Package" is
formed thereby. It will readily be appreciated that when fully
engaged in the position indicated any attempt to gain access to
container 53 by removing sprayer 47 (or 88) from filler neck 76
will result in failure since engaged ribs 84 (or 110) and lugs 82
will resist and prevent such action unless certain procedures are
performed to unlock them, which procedures will be fully described
in the hereinafter following discussion of a testing program
undertaken to determine whether small children under the age of 5
years would be able to uncover outlet 14 to spray material or open
container 53 to gain access thereto. At the same time, other tests
were undertaken to determine whether normal adults over 18 years of
age would be able to uncover outlet 14 or open container 53.
It is, of course, highly desirable to be able to open container 53
for refilling after emptying of its contents. To accomplish this
certain procedures must be performed which will now be described
with reference to FIG. 16. As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 16,
compressive stress is applied to skirt 60 (or 108) by squeezing the
grooved side portions thereof to deform skirt 60 (or 108), as
indicated by the dash lines in FIG. 16. As skirt 60 (or 88)
deforms, ribs or locking members 84 (or 110) carried thereon are
displaced outwardly a short distance sufficient to clear lugs 82 on
filler neck 76 of container 53. Member 49 (or 90) can then be
rotated or unscrewed a short way or until ribs 84 (or 110) and lugs
82 are fully disengaged, after which sprayer 47 (or 88) can be
unscrewed all the way and removed. It will be appreciated from the
foregoing that two discrete and simultaneously performed operations
or procedural steps are required before container 53 can be opened
by removal therefrom of sprayer 47 (or 88) which operations are;
(1) a deforming compressive stress, as by squeezing applied to
skirt 60 (or 88) sufficient to cause a radial displacement of
locking members 84 (or 110) to disengage them from lugs 82 and, (2)
skirt 60 (or 108) maintained in its deformed state while
simultaneously unscrewing closing member 49 (or 90) and cap 58 (or
106) thereof a short distance sufficient to disengage ribs 84 (or
110) from lugs 82 after which sprayer 47 (or 88) can be
removed.
As previously mentioned, it is economically desirable to ship, as
filled, closed packages, i.e., loaded articles such as the herein
described sprayers already installed on their filled containers. It
is also desirable to insure that when so shipped, the packages are
leak proof and child-resistant. Until the present invention,
however, really effective child-resistant sprayer-container
packages capable of meeting the standards prescribed in the
aforesaid Federal Regulations for Special Packaging have not been
available. In other words, when the present invention depicted in
FIGS. 15 and 17, is formed into a package with filled container 53
and is equipped with one of the child-resistant overcaps 14 or 31
of FIG. 2 or FIG. 8, such "Special Package" for the first time is
the result.
To determine whether the present invention packaged with a
polyethylene bottle or container would satisfy the Consumer Product
Safety Commission standards for Poison Prevention Packaging
according to the protocol and standards set forth in aforementioned
Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1700 through 1700.20,
special packagings of sprayers 47 and container 53 were prepared in
sufficient number to test in accordance with Part 1700.20
sub-section (a) through (c) thereof entitled "Testing Procedure for
Special Packaging". The tested spray devices were made in
accordance with the aforedescribed sprayer 47 illustrated in FIG.
15 equipped with child-resistant closing member 49 connected on
bottom portion 48 thereof and with child-resistant overcap 14.
The above described package was tested and evaluated for its
child-resistant effectiveness and its adult use effectiveness by
panels consisting of 200 children and 100 adults obtained from
nursery schools, day care centers and civic groups.
The two hundred children employed as panelists for the tests were
between the ages of 42 and 51 months and substantially evenly
distributed by age and sex as follows:
(1) Twenty children (plus or minus 10 percent) whose nearest age
was 42 months, 20 children whose nearest age was 43 months, 20 at
44 months etc., up to and including 20 at 51 months of age;
and,
(2) The children were divided into groups of two each and given
five minutes to open the containers and/or uncover sprayer outlet
11 by moving overcap 14 into its outlet open position. For each
test the paired children received the same special package
simultaneously with no demonstration or instructions and were asked
to open the packages in the time allotted. Results of these tests
are given in Table I.
TABLE I ______________________________________ NO DEMONSTRATION
Successful Openings Ages of Panelists Overcap 14 Panelists Tested
Assembly 10 male & Months Male Female Total Male & Female
Female ______________________________________ 42 9 11 20 0 0 43 11
9 20 0 0 44 10 10 20 0 0 45 10 10 20 0 0 46 10 10 20 0 0 47 10 10
20 0 0 48 10 10 20 0 0 49 10 10 20 0 0 50 10 10 20 0 0 51 10 10 20
0 0 Totals 100 100 200 0 0 Percent Unsuccessful 100% 100%
______________________________________
From Table I none of the panelists were successful in either
activating the spray, which requires being able to slide overcap 14
to its outlet open position, or removing sprayer 47 from container
53, which requires applying a deforming force against skirt 60
sufficient in magnitude and direction to disengage ribs 84 from
lugs 82 to unlock closing member 49.
The tests were repeated with the same panelists except in this
instance a demonstration was given of the correct way to open
container 53 and move overcap 14 to its open position.
The results for these tests given the same panelists are presented
in Table II.
TABLE II ______________________________________ WITH DEMONSTRATION
Panelists Successful Openings Ages of Tested Assembly 10 Overcap 14
Panelists Fe- Fe- Fe- Months Male male Total Male male Male male
Total ______________________________________ 42 9 11 20 0 0 0 0 0
43 11 9 20 0 0 0 0 0 44 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 45 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 46
10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 47 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 48 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 49
10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 50 10 10 20 0 0 1 0 1 51 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 100 100 200 0 0 1 0 1 Percent Unsuccessful 100% 98% 99.5%
______________________________________
Based upon the standards of child-resistant effectiveness of not
less than 85% without demonstration and not less than 80% after
demonstration of the proper means of opening a special packaging as
established in the Protocol for testing such special packaging, the
present combined child-resistant dispenser 47 and closing member
49, equipped with child-resistant overcap 14 and packaged with
container 53 easily fulfills the requirements for Poison Prevention
Packaging prescribed in Part 1700 of Title 16 of the Code of
Federal Regulations. The effectiveness as measured by the percent
of unsuccessful openings Without Demonstration (Table I) and With
Demonstration (Table II) is as follows:
WITHOUT DEMONSTRATION
100% with respect to both opening and gaining access to the package
contents by removing sprayer 47 or shifting overcap 14 to its
outlet open position.
WITH DEMONSTRATION
100% with respect to closing member 47, 99% with respect to overcap
14 and 99.5% with respect to entire sprayer unit.
The same tests of the same special packaging as in Tables I and II
were given to a group of panelists composed of 100 adults ranging
in age from 18 to 45, 70 of whom were women, and 30 of whom were
men. No demonstration was made; however, directions and
instructions were given as follows:
CLOSING MEMBER
To Open
Press opposite sides of cap at bottom of grooved portion with thumb
and forefinger and twist bottle clockwise.
OVERCAP SPRAY TAB
To Open
1. Overcap must be flush with top of sprayer.
2. With thumb or finger, press in and up on tab.
Instructions To The Testing Persons
The interviewers, or testing personnel were directed to conduct the
evaluation of the devices strictly according to the cited protocol.
To help insure the test personnel adhered to the above, they were
periodically observed throughout the testing program.
Results for the adult group are given in Table III.
TABLE III ______________________________________ Successful
Panelists Panelists Tested Without Demonstration (Number) Overcap
14 Closure Section 14 ______________________________________ Female
70 68 63 Male 30 30 30 Total 100 98 93 Percent Successful 98.0 93.0
______________________________________
WITH DEMONSTRATION
The two panelists who were unable to operate and shift overcap 14
to its outlet open position were able to activate it after a
demonstration of the correct way to do so.
Four of the seven panelists unable to open container 53 by removing
sprayer 47 were still unable to open it after a demonstration.
Based upon the standard of adult-use effectiveness of not less than
90 percent, at least one embodiment of the present invention, as
described herein, fulfills the requirements for Poison Prevention
Packaging based upon the protocol and standards set forth for same
in Part 1700 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
* * * * *